The Teen Role in the Election
The first election I really remember was in 1984. Ronald Reagan was the republican nominee and Walter Mondale was the democratic nominee. I have no idea who I wanted to win (or if I even had a preference), but I was so excited because I was going to be able to stay up late to watch the election results. Our teacher had given us a map of the United States and we were to color all of the states that went to Reagan in red and all the states that went to Mondale in blue. Well if you remember that election at all you know I didn’t even need my blue pen. One state went to Mondale. Reagan clearly won the election. By a landslide.
I graduated from high school in 1992, the year Bill Clinton defeated the incumbent George H.W. Bush. I was 18 by election day, but didn’t vote because I was young and too naive to realize how important it is for every American citizen to educate themselves about the political process and vote. I was more interested in partying with my friends and meeting boys than reading up on the issues.
Now that I’m a parent of teenagers I want to make sure my teens fully understand not only their right to vote, but their responsibility to be an informed voter. Neither of my teens is old enough to vote yet, but (like most of your teens) they will both be of legal age for the next presidential election in 2012. So it’s important to start teaching them now.
Throughout this election I’ve initiated conversations with the teens about the candidates and the issues. My oldest is a democrat. The younger teen is a republican. So it made for some very interesting (and heated) discussions. But it got them talking and thinking.
It’s important that teens understand the role of each segment of government (executive, legislative, and judicial). They need to know what the issues are and how each candidate’s views effect our lives. They need to understand it’s not necessarily the popular vote that elects the candidate, but instead it’s the electoral vote. Of course, they learn some of this in school, but they learn a lot more from you. Plus election time provides a great opportunity for you to discuss your morals and ideals with your children.
Every election is important, but this year’s election held even more significance. Not only were we electing the 44th president of the United States, but we were also making history. We were either electing the very first female Vice President or the very first African-American President.
This country has often been slow when it comes to change. Just 150 years ago African-Americans were slaves in this country. It wasn’t until 1859 that President Abraham Lincoln declared African-American’s had the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Until 1920 woman were not even allowed to vote, let alone run for public office. 1920 was not that long ago. There are people alive today who can remember President Woodrow Wilson urging Congress to pass the 19th Amendment allowing woman to vote.
And now in 2008 we were finally able to look past the color of the candidate’s skin and instead elect a president based on the issues and our need for change.
Do your teens understand the historical significance of this year’s election? Did they watch the election coverage?
Image Credit: Newscom
